10 Things I'm Thankful for 11/30/2010

1. a garbage disposal
2. wearing short-sleeves in November
3. watching the sun rise while reading my Bible
4. email
5. not stressing out when "my" plans have to change
6. hole-in-one for breakfast
7. weather in the south (now I need a jacket)
8. my family
9. trusting God
10. mechanical pencils

"He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them."-Psalm 145:19

10 Things I'm Thankful for 11/27/2010

1. my Savior
2. Matthew's birthday
3. pancakes
4. cup of coffee in front of the fire place
5. chilly fall days
6. turkey sandwiches
7. a husband who loves me unconditionally
8. God revealing Himself to me through the little things in life
9. Christmas tree
10. friends and family

1 Samuel 1:11- And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Happy Birthday Matthew!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!

 

Four years ago on this date, November 27, 2006, the Lord chose to bless Shane and I with a wonderful little baby boy, Matthew Ezekiel Latta.  That is the day our life change for sure. Through the blessing of my son, God has shown me and taught me so much.  After Matthew was born I searched God's Word to find a life verse for him, until he is ready to choose his own life verse. The verse is as follows:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:11-13

As I reflect on the birth of my son; it makes me think about Jesus. How God sent His only son to walk the earth, to live a sinless life, and to die for a sinner like me, ALL BECAUSE HE LOVED ME...US! 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16

 I can not even begin to imagine giving my son's life for another. I am so thankful and unworthy for the sacrifice Jesus made!

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8

Today, as we celebrate the life that was given to us four years ago;  I will also always remember and celebrate the life of my Savior that was given for us to be forgiven. Thank you Lord!

Happy 4th Birthday Matthew! Mommy and Daddy love you! But most of all Jesus loves you!

Thank you Lord for the many blessings You have given this family.



10 Things I'm Thankful for 11/25/2010

1. Getting up before everyone else.
2. Coffee with hazelnut creamer
3. Beautiful fall leaves
4. 80 degree weather on Thanksgiving ?
5. God's Word-

   "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."              -Psalm 100 

6.  My Boys(Shane & Matthew)
7. Dressing (in which I will partake of some time today)
8. Family& Friends
9. Hot shower
10. MY SALVATION!

I have so much to be thankful for. Thank is why I have to narrow it done to 10 each day. Lots of love and God Bless!

I Love You Lord!

"Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice
To worship you, Oh my soul rejoice!
Take joy, my King, in what you hear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear

I love you, Lord, and I lift my hands
To worship you as my soul demands
Take joy, my King, in what you see
May I be a sweet, sweet child on your knee

I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice
To worship you, Oh my soul rejoice!
Take joy, my King, in what you hear
Make it a sweet, sweet sound in your ear

Make it a sweet, sweet sound in your ear

10 Things I am Thankful for 11/16/2010

1. God's Word
2. ice cold water
3. my glasses
4. IHOP
5. memories
6. my son's sweet embrace
7. basketball season
8. my husband's wisdom (I hope he doesn't read this)
9. a "to do" list
10. junk mail

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of god for the salvation of everyone who believes: first Jew, then for the Gentile." -Romans 1:16

Thirty-One Gifts Customer Special for November

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I just wanted to let everyone know about the customer specials for November form Thirty-One.
I have made a link here--->November Customer Specials  and also for November Hostess Specials.

If you would like to view the fall catalog for Thirty-One click here---> Fall 2010 catalog

Here are a few of the fall patterns for 2010.

   

If you would like to book a party or have any questions, you can email me at thirtyone.brooke@gmail.com .
All orders submitted before December 13th will be guaranteed back before Christmas! So hurry and book a party or place an order online to be sure you are getting the Christmas gifts you want this year.

Blessings,
Brooke Latta
Thirty-One Gifts Consultant
thirtyone.brooke@gmail.com

10 Things I'm Thankful for 11/15/2010

1. Knowing my Savior, Jesus!
2. Internet
3. Honey.....Again!!!
4. Rain
5. A clean house(at the moment)
6. Sweet smelling candles
7. My little helper, Matthew
8. Coupons
9. Bible study time
10. Being a helpmate

"Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." -John 16:24

Easy Loaded Potato Soup

Easy Loaded Potato Soup

Ingredients:

5 to 7 potatoes (chopped)

2 cans cream of chicken

1 can cream of celery

1 can cheese soup (optional)

1 1/2 cups milk

salt & pepper

Topping:

Bacon (chopped)

Shredded cheese

Sour cream (optional)

Cook/boil potatoes and drain. Add all ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Top with bacon, cheese and sour cream if desired. Enjoy!

Easy Homemade Chick-N-Noodle Soup

We love this easy recipe! It's great for fall and football season. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 package of spiral egg noodles
4 chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 large can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of celery
dash of garlic seasoning of your choice
salt/pepper to taste
Optional: cut carrots, onion and celery

Boil chicken as normal. Cook noodles as directed on package. Then mix all ingredients together and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve.

10 Things I'm Thankful for 11/13/10

1. The warmth of the sun on a chilly morning.
2. Yard Sales
3. Salvation
4. My son's drawings
5. Chick-fil-a (yummy chicken-goodness morning, noon and night)
6. My sweet husband
7. Cotton fields
8. God's timing!
9. Yummy recipes
10. Nap time(for me)

 

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.  ¹ Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
   who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
   within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
   around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
   for the man who fears the LORD.
 ⁵ May the LORD bless you from Zion;
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
   peace be on Israel.

2010 Gift Guide

For more information about booking a party or viewing the 2010 Gift Guide catalog goto www.mythirtyone.com/brookelatta/.
Be sure to check out this month's hostess special.

All orders submited before December 13th garentees delivery for your order before Chirstmas.

Thirty-One Gifts

OK, So I once said "I will never sign-up to be a consultant and pressure people to buy my stuff". I did it, I signed up to be a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts. But the great part is, I will not have to pressure or beg people to buy Thirty-One Gifts.... it sales itself!

It all started when God sent us a sweet little boy. I knew with all my heart I wanted to stay home with him.  Shane(my husband) and I knew that was something we as a family wanted to do, even if it meant we had to make some BIG changes in the way we live. Going from two incomes to one is always kinda scary, but we trusted God and He brought us through. We have been so blessed during this journey of growing a family in ministry.

Long story short, here I am doing something I thought I would never do, be a consultant. But I am at peace because I feel the Lord has lead me here. I feel like this is going to be more of a ministry, to bring Him glory, than anything. I am putting aside my insecurities and trusting the Lord. Please be in prayer with me as I travel this new path on my journey.

Thanks & God Bless!
Brooke
www.mythirtyone.com/brookelatta/

10 Things I'm Thankful for 11/12/10

1. Coffee in the morning
2. Waking up to my 3 yr old staring at me.
3. Time with God in His Word
4. Motivation
5. Crisp fall air
6. My Savior Jesus
7. Locally made HONEY (so yummy & good for me)
8. When the TV is off
9. Reading others blogs
10. Cranes flying south for the winter.(So beautiful to watch)

My friend Brandi blogs the things she is thankful for, and I love reading her posts. I realize I take so many things for granted. I need to stop and thank God for the small things too. Thank you Brandi for blessing me with your heart's song.

Psalm 100
¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Matthew's Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Today, Matthew got the "big idea" that he want to make orange juice. (I think he saw it on Oso this week).

So when he told me, I said sure why not. Besides I had a whole bag of oranges I had gotten on sale at Publix last week and I needed to use them. The only bad thing was that I don't even own a juicer. So after we left the library, we had a mission to find a juicer. I started at our local Good Will then a thrift store and came out empty handed. Off to Old Time Pottery, there we found a juicer for only $1.48. I was excited!

What fun!!......Matthew found out that it wasn't as easy as when Oso did it...haha     But he (we) had a great messy time. At one point he stopped and said "Momma it spitted on me".

He was so proud of himself!

    

This last picture was after he tasted the orange juice...lol!

We had a great day!!!! I thank God for all the special times I get to spend with this sweet little man.

5 Ways Churches Can Serve Public Schools– Without Breaking the Law

All information from http://www.ministry-to-children.com/ .

Here in Arizona our school system is in dire financial need and our teachers could really use some encouragement.

As a church staff we are looking for opportunities to help our local schools and let our teachers know they are appreciated. With that in mind I thought I would share 5 ways that we are partnering with our local school to help.
#1. Meeting with key leaders at school and asking the question: How can we help? We were pleasantly surprised at the cordial reception in our initial meeting and came away with some very practical steps we can take. Our church in now the official community partner with the Elementary School located closest to our campus.
#2. Offer to cater lunch or breakfast for the school staff. Who doesn’t love the idea of good food prepared by someone else. My grandmother always said that food tasted better when someone else did the work. This is a simple way to say “Thank You” to teachers for their hard work.
#3. Provide staff and materials to start an extracurricular club. Today I am meeting with school staff to plan the details for launching a “Speed Stacks” club. We use Speed Stacks as a fun activity at church and we have all the necessary equipment to start a club. Think outside the box. What do you have at your church that could be used to offer extracurricular activities for students?
#4. Help with facility repair and improvements. With the budget cutting that seems to be universal in education facility repair and improvements can be a vital need. Do you have volunteers with skills that could benefit your local school? Create a team that is willing to give of their time and talent to bless the school.
#5. Tutor a student. Many schools are short staffed in the classroom and we can help provide one-on-one instruction to students who desperately need help. Find out which adults in your church have the skills and the personality to help a child.
These are just a few of the ways that the church can make an impact at school. Start now brainstorming ways that your church could help at school. Don’t wait for families to come to your facility. Get out into the community and serve.

by Guest Writer on Friday 5 November 2010  Print

in Children's Ministry Ideas

This guest post was contributed by Keith Tusing from CM Buzz. Submit your articles to Tony@Ministry-To-Children.com

For more great ideas in Children's Ministry, visit http://www.ministry-to-children.com/ .

Thanks Tony for all your hard work and dedication to your Ministry-To-Children website.

Update on Bonnie Clair! GOD IS SO GOOD!

Today our church and community came together to help raise money for the procedure that Bonnie Clair needs that is not covered by insurance. The procedure alone is an estimated $15,000.00 dollars.

At the end of the night, after all the hard work was complete, God provided an estimated total of......

$17,066.25 !!!!!!

WOW! GOD IS SO GOOD! May the Lord receive all the glory!    And guess what there is still donations that have not been counted in to this total!  Please continue to keep Bonnie Clair and the Tuckers in your prayers.

QUICK N EASY peanut butter cookies! (only 4 ingredients) | eHow.com

How to make QUICK N EASY peanut butter cookies! (only 4 ingredients) eHow.com

Baking for Bonnie

This morning I got up, checked on my son, fixed a cup of coffee then proceeded in my time with the Lord. Soon after I began to make my way to the kitchen to start some baking. I want to go ahead and say the reason I am baking is not because I'm good at it or even that what I'm baking will even turn out to what it's supposed to be. But I am baking for a Bake Sale to help Bonnie today.

Have you ever met someone who changes your life in just a small amount of time? People who seem to change the world with such small actions as helping others or just praising our Lord with all they have.  Or maybe those who, you know for a fact, that God has placed them on the earth to turn hearts to Him? This describes Bonnie Clair Tucker completely. Bonnie is so special to our family. When God was impressing on our hearts it was time to move on to a new ministry, He used Bonnie to touch our hearts to confirm that we we're in His Will.  God has used her and other children to continually prove to us that we are right where we need to be.

To learn more about Bonnie and the special life God has blessed us with, go to this site: Support and Prayer for Bonnie Clair .








Go to http://www.fbcfoley.com/ for further details.

Please join me in prayer for this very special child of God!